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I raised exactly this question with SP and Morrison Data Services - my meter readers. After 5 weeks of asking the same question MDS finally got around to telling me it's a contractual obligation for theirs and SP's licences to validate customer readings on gas consumer usage for Xoserve, National Grid and by default, the government. It's all to do with volume flow around the country (apparently) and it's a legal requirement that SP physically 'see' everyone's meters at least once a year to submit accurate usage to those governing bodies. We HAVE give our readings to SP and SP HAVE to give our readings to the government.